Forever Home Found: Rescue dog was true gift

Thanks to fair winter weather which allows animals to travel in unheated airplane cargo holds, my birthday present arrived at Tennessee's Nashville International Airport alive and well in November of 1997.

Thanks to fair winter weather which allows animals to travel in unheated airplane cargo holds, my birthday present arrived at Tennessee's Nashville International Airport alive and well in November of 1997.

As the baggage handler wrestled a large, white plastic dog crate toward the pick-up area, I could hardly wait to get a peek at my new dog. Lance, a black-and-tan shiba inu rescue, was found wandering alone in a suburban Chicago park.

A fast-food hamburger was used to lure him for capture, ending his roaming adventures. He was admitted to an animal shelter and later taken in by a shiba rescue group.

When my parents learned I was considering getting another dog as a companion for my aging shiba, Nicki, Lance’s destiny was sealed, sight-unseen.

Nicki was a well-trained, retired champion show dog - always poised, savvy and confident. Lance, however, was just a mess.

He had a huge head, gangly legs, was way too thin, wall-eyed and lacked any confidence and most manners. He had bumps along his spine that appeared to be healed wounds from an accident or abuse, and he cowered at loud noises and fast movements.

He also had a huge heart, lots of love to give and a wonderful sense of humor. In a matter of minutes, all of his external flaws melted away as we became better acquainted. He loved us right away and seemed to understand that he was safe and this was his home now.

Lance quickly gained weight and learned our household rules and routines - including how to communicate. One bark: out back to potty. Two barks: dinnertime or treats. Three or more barks: someone is at the door or the cat is being naughty.

When I arrived home from work, Lance never failed to greet me at the door with happy growls and twirls. He also could actually smile, which made him look so silly I couldn’t help but laugh aloud whenever he did this - which was often. Lance slept on the foot of my bed every night, and would growl to alert me when he heard a suspicious noise outside.

Other than a veterinarian’s report and a successful temperament test, Lance’s past was a blank slate. I’d watch for behavioral clues to help unravel his past life, but there were few.

He did get excited when he saw boys riding bicycles, but I could never determine if he simply liked the idea of chasing moving bicycles or if he thought the boys were members of his “lost” family.

Lance fit into our family so fabulously, he truly was a gift I will always cherish. He was with us long after Nicki crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I like to think he’s there with her now, saving some happy growls and twirls just for me when I finally “come home from work” to stay.

Page 2 of 2 - If you have a favorite breed of dog, please consider contacting a rescue organization for that breed to learn about adopting a dog or other ways of supporting that rescue organization.

Every dog adopted or fostered through a rescue allows another dog to be taken in from a shelter or critical situation.